SPAIN – World Youth Day Communication Service of the Schoenstatt Movement Madrid. Early on Sunday morning, August 14th, delegations from different countries began to arrive already having previous plans before arriving in Madrid. Some were even so brave that they made the El Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James. At the Shrine of Pozuelo, suddenly the grounds became a large dormitory. Each person slept placidly in his or her sleeping bag in “the shadow of the shrine”.
The delegation from Mexico arrived somewhat tired and that needed to regain their strength before continuing. Others had come after participating in events that the different dioceses offered. But now everyone is arriving at the designated meeting place, which is Madrid, and concretely for the Schoenstatt Youth it’s at the Shrine of Pozuelo, the Serrano Shrine, and the Mount Tabor School.
Girls’ Youth at Pozuelo
The Girls’ delegations went to the Shrine of Pozuelo, where they were welcomed. They were offered drinking water because that is what they craved the most because of the heat, and they began to settle in the welcome tents, where they received the material for everything related to the RTA: their backpack with a book, a fan, ID, cap, etc. Everything to celebrate the feast of the Queen very well.
Many of the groups wanted to immediately greet the Blessed Mother in the Shrine and those who came with a priest even celebrated Holy Mass.
The Boys’ Youth at the Mont Tabor School
The Boys’ delegations arrived at the Mount Tabor School, and after registration, they settled in the lodging, where they would sleep during their time here. A backpack and all the material were distributed.
Throughout the entire afternoon and night, the groups that were missing arrived. The next day both group meetings, Unanimiter and RTA, will begin at the School and at the Shrine respectively.
All the sacrificial work of so many months is bearing fruit
A large deployment of people, who are selflessly helping in many tasks continues. A Sister related that she met a person who works in television and it appeared that he was looking at the different places where youth are concentrated. He commented to Sister that he was surprisingly impressed at how well everything was organized.
It has been beautiful to see how all of the sacrificial work of so many months is bearing fruit, because people are putting into practice everything that was planned. Moreover, they are seeing how things are turning out so that an outsider notices that everything is well-prepared in an organized manner. Of course this person did not know our great secret: that we work for our Blessed Mother!
Photo Album: The pilgrims arrive to Madrid
Translation: Celina Garza,San Antonio, USA/Melissa Peña-Janknegt, Elgin, USA
